Benetton Treviso secured another scalp in their remarkable debut season on Sunday, beating Magners League leaders Munster 19-18 at the Stadio Comunale di Monigo.

Former Emerging Springbok Willem de Waal kicked 14 points for the home side, including four penalties and the conversion to flanker Gonzalo Padro's 59th minute try.

Munster, who are without a large international contingent on Ireland duty, trailed at the break and only burst into life in the closing stages.

Former All Black wing Doug Howlett breached the Italian defence on 67 minutes to make the closing stages interesting, while No.8 James Coughlan was on target 10 minutes later to bring his side to within a point.

Munster took the lead on six minutes through the boot of fly-half Paul Warwick, who will leave the province at the end of the season to sign with Stade Francais, but De Waal landed two kicks before the break to secure the lead for the hosts.

Treviso hooker Franco Sbaraglini saw yellow just after half an hour and Munster also suffered at the hands of the referee, losing hooker Damien Varley and replacement prop Wian du Preez to the bin in the space of four minutes just after the break.

Munster shipped 10 points during that period as Padro pounced and despite their late flourish, Munster were knocked out of their stride by De Waal's decisive kick on 74 minutes.